Kyrie Irving Reportedly Wants to Play With LeBron James in Dallas

Kyrie Irving Reportedly Wants to Play With LeBron James in Dallas

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at June 6, 2023 at 7:29 AM
  • Kyrie Irving wants LeBron James to join him in Dallas
  • The Dallas Mavericks star has reportedly reached out to the Los Angeles Lakers veteran to try and lure him to Dallas
  • Irving and James played three seasons together in Cleveland and won the 2016 NBA title

Kyrie Irving is reportedly recruiting his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks.

James and Irving played three seasons together in Cleveland, a partnership that yielded the 2016 NBA championship.

LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Lakers, Mavericks, Cavaliers, Luka Doncic
Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks greets LeBron James during the Round 1 of the playoffs. Photo by Kevork Djansezian.
Source: Getty Images

The Mavericks star is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has been coy about his free agency plans. The eight-time All-Star requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in February after three-plus turbulent years.

According to the Athletic, the Mavericks are optimistic about re-signing Irving since they intend to partner him with Luka Doncic for the long term.

Irving and Doncic went 5-11 when they played together, a run that ultimately cost them a playoff spot. Dallas lost free agent Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks last summer.

LeBron James to Dallas?

According to the Athletic's Shams Charania, Irving has reached out to the 38-year-old to see if he can lure him to Dallas.

Bringing James to Dallas will be difficult, given the new CBA, which added a new second tax apron. The Lakers veteran is set to make $46.9 million next season, and he has a $50.6 million player option for the 2024/25 season.

According to Bleacher Report, James' trade to Dallas would first require a trade request. Moreover, Irving would need to take a pay cut. Will he do that to make sure they get James?

The Lakers aggressively pursued Irving when he requested a trade from Brooklyn. James was disappointed they weren't able to land the All-Star guard.

"I can't sit here and say I'm not disappointed on not being able to land such a talent, but [also] someone that I had great chemistry with, and know I got great chemistry with on the floor, that can help you win championships, in my mind, in my eyes," he said, via ESPN.

James requesting a trade would definitely be shocking, but nothing is impossible in the NBA.

Why James may not retire

Sports Brief earlier reported on why James may not retire from the NBA.

Retiring now does not make financial sense to James, since he signed a two-year $97 million deal last summer. He also said he is looking forward to playing with his son in the league.

Moreover, winning a fifth ring would be the icing on the cake, as he has nothing else to prove in his career.

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Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.
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